Despite CT loss, Pakistan gets richer

Although Pakistan has lost the opportunity to organise the prestigious Champions Trophy at home, it will be richer by approximately $6 million.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Karachi:

Although Pakistan has lost the opportunity to organise the prestigious Champions Trophy at home, it will be richer by approximately $6 million that it would get as hosting rights for the tournament.

The ICC Executive Board which met in Perth took two important decisions on the Champions Trophy, one it would be held after every four years instead of its biennial schedule and secondly Pakistan would pocket hosting rights for this year's tournament regardless of where it is held.

"Look we had no option but to accept the package deal. Atleast the hosting rights fees mean financially the Board will remain stable despite the shortage of international cricket at home," a well-placed source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

He said the next Champions Trophy would be held in 2013 and Pakistan would definitely be among the nations which will have an interest hosting it.

"But that we will see when the time comes, for the moment we are assured of the hosting rights of the tournament," the source said.

Pakistan will also be paid a handsome participation fees for this year's Champions Trophy besides the hosting rights fees.

The source said PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt was helpless at the ICC Board meeting as England, South Africa, Australia had all got security feedbacks from independent experts and their respective foreign missions about the security situation in Pakistan.

"All these countries made it clear they had been advised that the security situation in Pakistan remained volatile and unlikely to improve rapidly before the Champions Trophy," the source added.

He said Butt did point out that Pakistan had successfully hosted the Asia Cup last year and recently Sri Lanka but was told the situation was different with western teams who had stakes in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately, this time Pakistan didn't get much support from other nations as everyone felt it was time a final decision was taken on the venue for the next Champions Trophy as the new host country would need time to put everything into place for the event," he said.